Fastener tape, method for identifying same, method for manufacturing same, and slide fastener set

ABSTRACT

Fastener tape is woven from a weft thread and warp threads both of which are threads with a main attribute. The fastener tape includes: first and second side-edges extending along an elongation direction of the fastener tape to define a fastener tape width; and a tape main portion interposed between the first and second side-edges. The tape main portion includes an identification region woven by plural warp threads and the weft thread interlaced with one another, the identification region having an identification region width which is a partial width of an entire width of the fastener tape width and is a width in accordance with a number of the plural warp threads. Structure of the identification region is configured to allow identification that the weft thread and the warp threads are with the main attribute and/or to allow identification of a sub-attribute subdivided from the main attribute.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure is directed to a fastener tape, methods foridentifying and producing the same, and a set of slide fasteners.

BACKGROUND ART

As disclosed in patent literatures 1 and 2, it may be desired to supplyrecyclable slide fasteners in some instances. Para. 0021 of the patentliterature 1 describes “Appropriate identifiers can be applied torecyclable products for easier separation and collection of the samefrom other products not adapted for recycling. For example, visuallydistinguishable representation such as a character, a code, a barcode orthe like can be imprinted onto a slider or a separable stop, or beprinted onto a fastener tape . . . or a product to which a slidefastener is attached”.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

-   [Patent literature 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No.    10-243805-   [Patent literature 2] International Publication No. 2017/168731

SUMMARY Technical Problem

In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for slide fastenersutilizing fastener tapes that are woven from threads spun fromenvironmentally-friendly material, namely environmentally friendlyfastener tapes. In this regard, it may be desired in some cases topresent or provide information on the threads (such as whether materialhaving environmentally friendly characteristic is used or not, a type ofthe material having environmentally friendly characteristic, a supplierof threads, traceability, information on whether it is certified or not,a type of certification, a certifier, or the like) to customers andconsumers of slide fastener.

To give a specific example, there are currently plural certifierscertifying that threads of recycled material are used. However, it isnot possible to easily identify, by observing the fastener tapes byeyes, a certifier among the plural certifiers that certified the threadsused for weaving the fastener tapes. The same applies to the material ofthreads of fastener tapes (e.g. biodegradable material, plant-derivedmaterial or recycled material). Even if the threads were to be analyzed(e.g. spectroscopic analysis), it would be not easy to identify if thethreads are certified and to distinguish between virgin material andrecycled material. Thus, it is not easy to trace and manage theinformation of thread of fastener tape in production phase of slidefastener and after delivery of the slide fastener.

As would be understood from the above descriptions, the presentinventors have newly recognized a value of supplying a fastener tapewhich allows identifying if threads of the fastener tape are with a mainattribute (e.g. use of the threads with environmentally friendlycharacteristic or not) or identifying a sub-attribute subdivided fromthe main attribute (e.g. certificate, supplier or material).

Solution to Problem

Fastener tape according to an aspect of the present disclosure is afastener tape woven from a weft thread and warp threads both of whichare threads with a main attribute. The fastener tape includes first andsecond side-edges extending along an elongation direction of thefastener tape to define a fastener tape width; and a tape main portioninterposed between the first and second side-edges. The tape mainportion includes an identification region woven by plural warp threadsand the weft thread interlaced with one another. The identificationregion has an identification region width which is a partial width of anentire width of the fastener tape width and is a width in accordancewith a number of the plural warp threads. Structure of theidentification region is configured to allow identification that theweft thread and the warp threads are with the main attribute and/or toallow identification of a sub-attribute subdivided from the mainattribute.

In some embodiments, a weave repeat or a weave pattern of theidentification region is configured to allow identification of asub-attribute subdivided from the main attribute. In some embodiments, aweave repeat of the identification region is configured to allowidentification of a sub-attribute subdivided from the main attribute.

In some embodiments, the main attribute is related to environmentallyfriendly characteristic. The environmentally friendly characteristic maybe related to any one of use of recycled material, use of biodegradablematerial, use of plant-derived material or a combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the structure of the identification regionconfigured to allow identification of the sub-attribute subdivided fromthe main attribute is a warp-rib-free structure. In some embodiments,the structure of the identification region configured to allowidentification that the weft thread and the warp threads are with themain attribute is a warp-rib structure. In some embodiments, theidentification region includes a first identification region woven toallow identification that the weft thread and the warp threads are withthe main attribute and a second identification region woven to allowidentification of a sub-attribute subdivided from the main attribute.The first identification region and the second identification region maybe adjacent in a weft direction.

In some embodiments, a fastener element is provided such that anengagement head is positioned outwardly of fastener tape than the firstside-edge of the fastener tape, and the identification region isarranged closer to the second side-edge relative to the first side-edgeof the fastener tape. In some embodiments, an element-attachment regionand an intermediate region interposed between the element-attachmentregion and the identification region are arranged in a directiondirected from the first side-edge of the fastener tape toward theidentification region in the tape main portion. The identificationregion width is less than a width of the intermediate region in a samedirection. In some embodiments, the intermediate region and theidentification region are arranged in the tape main portion adjacentlyin a direction directed from the first side-edge toward the secondside-edge of the fastener tape. In both of the intermediate region andthe identification region, the respective warp threads repeat passingover pairs of two weft thread portions adjacent in a warp direction.

Method of identifying a fastener tape according to an aspect of thepresent disclosure is a method of identifying a fastener tape woven froma weft thread and warp threads. This method includes: identifying one ormore identification regions in the fastener tape, the identificationregion being woven by the plural warp threads and the weft threadinterlaced with one another; identifying, based on the identifiedidentification region, that the weft thread and the warp threads arewith a main attribute; and in addition to or as an alternative of saididentifying that the weft thread and the warp threads are with a mainattribute, identifying a sub-attribute preassociated with a structure ofthe identified identification region among sub-attributes subdividedfrom the main attribute. Slide fasteners can be distinguishable based onidentifying the fastener tapes. That is, the method of identifying isimplemented for a first fastener tape of a first slide fastener and themethod of identifying is implemented for a second fastener tape of asecond slide fastener, thereby the first and second slide fasteners canbe distinguishable based on the above implementations of the identifyingmethod. Various features related to fastener tape is applicable to thepresent identifying method.

In some embodiments, the sub-attribute can be identified based onreference to a correspondence table between a sub-attribute and a weaverepeat or weave pattern of the identification region.

Set of slide fasteners according to an aspect of the present disclosureis a set of mutually distinguishable slide fasteners. This set includesa first slide fastener including a pair of first fastener tapes each ofwhich is woven from warp threads and a weft thread which are threadswith a main attribute; and a second slide fastener including a pair ofsecond fastener tapes each of which is woven from warp threads and aweft thread which are threads with the main attribute. Each of the firstand second fastener tapes includes: first and second side-edgesextending along an elongation direction of the fastener tape to define afastener tape width; and a tape main portion interposed between thefirst and second side-edges. The tape main portion includes anidentification region woven by adjacent warp threads and the weft threadinterlaced with one another. The identification region has anidentification region width which is a partial width of an entire widthof the fastener tape width and is a width in accordance with a number ofthe adjacent warp threads. Structure of the identification region of thefirst fastener tape is configured to indicate that the weft thread andthe warp threads are with the main attribute and/or is associated with afirst sub-attribute included in sub-attributes subdivided from the mainattribute. Structure of the identification region of the second fastenertape is configured to indicate that the weft thread and the warp threadsare with the main attribute and/or is associated with a secondsub-attribute included in sub-attributes subdivided from the mainattribute.

In some embodiments, a weave repeat or a weave pattern of theidentification region of the first fastener tape is associated with thefirst sub-attribute included in the sub-attributes subdivided from themain attribute. A weave repeat or a weave pattern of the identificationregion of the second fastener tape is associated with the secondsub-attribute included in the sub-attributes subdivided from the mainattribute.

Method of producing a fastener tape according to an aspect of thepresent disclosure is related to a method of producing a fastener tapeconfigured from threads with a main attribute. This method includes:supplying first threads with the main attribute to an automatic loom ina first setting to weave a first fastener tape, a first identificationregion being formed in the first fastener tape in accordance with thefirst setting; and supplying second threads with the main attribute toan automatic loom in a second setting to weave a second fastener tape, asecond identification region being formed in the second fastener tape inaccordance with the second setting. Structure of the firstidentification region is configured to indicate that the first threadsare with the main attribute and/or is associated with a firstsub-attribute included in sub-attributes subdivided from the mainattribute. Structure of the second identification region is configuredto indicate that the second threads are with the main attribute and/oris associated with a second sub-attribute included in sub-attributessubdivided from the main attribute.

In some embodiments, the first sub-attribute can be identified from thestructure of the first identification region based on a correspondencetable defining correspondence between a sub-attribute subdivided fromthe main attribute and a structure of the identification region of thefastener tape, and the second sub-attribute can be identified from thestructure of the second identification region based on thecorrespondence table. In some embodiments, first and second settings ofthe automatic loom correspond to first and second cam patterns in theautomatic loom.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, it may be facilitatedto supply a fastener tape which allows identifying if threads of thefastener tape are with a main attribute (e.g. use of the threads withenvironmentally friendly characteristic or not) or identifying asub-attribute subdivided from the main attribute (e.g. certificate,supplier or material).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of a slide fastener according to anaspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration showing left and right fastenerelements coupled in a slider.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a fastener tape partitioned intoplural weave regions.

FIG. 4 is a structure view of a tape main portion of a fastener tapeprovided with an identification region representing that warp and weftthreads are with a main attribute, and an identification region having aweave repeat associated with a certificate of a first working example.

FIG. 5 is a structure view showing a weave repeat associated with acertificate of a first working example.

FIG. 6 is a partial view of a fastener tape showing an identificationregion and weave regions at both left and right sides thereof.

FIG. 7 is a structure view of a tape main portion of a fastener tapeprovided with an identification region representing that warp and weftthreads are with a main attribute, and an identification region having aweave repeat associated with a certificate of a second working example.

FIG. 8 (a) is a structure view of a weave repeat associated with asecond working example. FIG. 8 (b) is an illustration illustrating thatthe weave repeat is a derived structure from a weave repeat shown inFIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is a structure view of a tape main portion of a fastener tapeprovided with an identification region representing that warp and weftthreads are with a main attribute, and an identification region having aweave repeat associated with a certificate of a third working example.

FIG. 10 is a structure view of a weave repeat associated withcertificate of a third working example.

FIG. 11 illustrates variants of weave repeat of identification region.

FIG. 12 illustrates variants of weave repeat of identification region.

FIG. 13 illustrates variants of weave repeat of identification region.

FIG. 14 is a schematic flowchart showing a method of producing fastenertapes.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, various embodiments and features will be discussed withreference to FIGS. 1 to 14. Skilled person in the art would be able tocombine the respective embodiments and/or respective features andappreciate the technical effects by such combination without excessdescriptions. Overlapping descriptions among embodiments would beomitted basically. Reference drawings are mainly for describing theinvention and may be simplified for ease of preparation thereof. Eachfeature should be understood as a universal feature which is effectivenot only for the presently disclosed fastener tapes, the method ofidentifying them, and the method of producing them but also for variousfastener tapes, methods of identifying them, and methods of producingthem which are not disclosed in the present specification.

Hereinafter, a front-rear direction would be understood based on amovement direction of a slider, and thus a slide fastener would beclosed by the slider moving frontward and would be opened by the slidermoving rearward. Left-right direction and up-down direction areorthogonal to the front-rear direction. The left-right direction is adirection parallel to a tape surface of the fastener tape. The up-downdirection is perpendicular to the tape surface of the fastener tape.These terms indicating directions could be redefined in view of thefollowing descriptions.

Slide fastener 1 has a pair of left and right fastener stringers 30 anda slider 40 for opening and closing the pair of left and right fastenerstringers 30. The slide fastener 1 may be used in various applicationssuch as clothing, shoes, bags, bedding, outdoor equipment, and wetsuits.Although not illustrated, an embodiment is envisioned where the slidefastener 1 is a conceal-type slide fastener to which the followingfeatures would be equally applicable.

Each fastener stringer 30 has a fastener tape 10 and a fastener element20. The fastener tape 10 is a soft fabric and is woven from a weftthread 8 and warp threads 9 (See FIG. 6) which have a main attribute.The fastener tape 10 includes first and second side-edges 11,12extending along an elongation direction of the fastener tape (thefront-rear direction) to define a fastener tape width W10 that is adimension in the left-right direction, and a tape main portion 13interposed between the first and second side-edges 11,12.

The fastener element 20 is a coil-like element configured from amonofilament helically extending along the elongation direction of thefastener tape 10, and is sewn by yarns onto the fastener tape 10 at itstop surface. Embodiment is envisioned where the fastener element 20 isinwoven to a weave region of the fastener tape 10. Furthermore,embodiment is envisaged where the fastener element 20 is provided asmetal-made or resin-made elements arranged by constant interspace alongthe elongation direction of the fastener tape 10.

The fastener element 20 is configured from a series of units each havinga lower leg 21, an upper leg 22, an engagement head 23 and a returnportion 24. The lower leg 21 is placed on the fastener tape 10 at itstop surface, and the upper leg 22 is positioned away from the topsurface of the fastener tape 10. The engagement head 23 is positionedoutside of the fastener tape 10, i.e. outwardly of fastener tape thanthe first side-edge 11 of the fastener tape 10. Note that outwardly offastener tape is a direction directed from a position or point on a topor bottom surface of the fastener tape to a position or point outside ofthe top or bottom surface of the fastener tape. Inwardly of fastenertape is a direction directed to the opposite side of outwardly offastener tape.

The engagement head 23 extends in the up-down direction to couple theends of the lower leg 21 and the upper leg 22 (i.e. the ends positionedoutwardly of fastener tape). The engagement head 23 is an enlargedportion of the monofilament in its width (i.e. the width in thefront-rear direction) relative to the lower and upper legs 21 and 22.The return portion 24 couples the ends of the lower leg 21 and the upperleg 22 (i.e. the ends positioned inwardly of fastener tape) so as toconfigure the helix of monofilament. Unlike the engagement head 23, thereturn portion 24 is not enlarged in its width in the front-reardirection. Optionally, a core thread 29, extending along the elongationdirection of the fastener tape 10, is arranged inside of the helix ofthe monofilament.

The slider 40 has a bottom wing 41, a top wing 42, a interconnectingpillar (not shown), a pull tab attachment post 43 and a pull tab 44. Theslider 40 has a Y-shaped element-passage bifurcated by theinterconnecting pillar. Left and right front mouths are arranged tosandwich the interconnecting pillar, and a rear mouth is arranged at theopposite side of the front mouths in the front-rear direction. When theslider 40 moves rearward, a coupled left and right fastener elements 20enter into the slider 40 through its rear mouth. Next, the coupled leftand right fastener elements 20 is decoupled by the interconnectingpillar, and the left and right fastener elements 20 move out of theslider 40 through the left and right front mouths. The slider 40 may bemade of resin or metal.

As shown in FIG. 3, the fastener tape 10 is partitioned into pluralregions in the left-right direction. For example, the fastener tape 10is partitioned into a plain weave region S14, an identification regionS15, an identification region S16, an intermediate region S17, and aplain weave structure S18, and an element-placement region S19. Theplain weave region S14, the identification region S15, theidentification region S16, the intermediate region S17, the plain weavestructure S18 and the element-placement region S19 are configured from aweft thread 8 and warp threads 9 which are threads with a mainattribute. Embodiment is envisioned where the plain weave region S14 isomitted and a side edge of the identification region S15 matches secondside-edge 12 of the fastener tape 10. For distinguishing theidentification region S15, S16, the identification region S16 may bereferred to as a main identification region, and the identificationregion S15 may be referred to as a sub-identification region.

The main attribute of threads is an attribute that is not easily orpractically not possible for human sight to recognize, and an example ofwhich can be environmentally friendly characteristic, not necessarilylimited to this though. The environmentally friendly characteristic maybe related to one or any combination of characteristics such as (i)threads spun from recycled material, (ii) threads spun frombiodegradable material, and (iii) threads spun from plant-derivedmaterial. The environmentally friendly characteristic can be subdividedinto certificates of thread, suppliers of thread, and materials ofthread. GRS (Global Recycle Standard) can be suggested as an example ofthe certificate of threads. Exemplary material of thread includes asynthetic fiber such as made of nylon, polyamide, polyester andpolyurethane, and a natural fiber such as cotton, wool and silk.

In the present embodiment, the structure of the identification regionS16 is configured to allow identification that the weft thread 8 and thewarp threads 9 are with the main attribute. The structure of theidentification region S16 is used as an indication that the weft thread8 and the warp threads 9 are with the main attribute. The structure ofthe identification region S16 and the aspect of the weft thread 8 andthe warp threads 9 with the main attribute are preassociated. It couldbe said that the structure of the identification region S16 indicatesthe aspect of the weft thread 8 and the warp threads 9 with the mainattribute, based on the predesigned correspondence between a structureof the identification region S16 and an aspect of the weft thread 8 andthe warp threads 9 with the main attribute.

The structure of the identification region S16 is an indication of themain attribute of the weft thread 8 and the warp threads 9, and in somecases, recognizable as a characteristic portion on the fastener tape 10through human visual or tactile sensation. For example, in a case wherethe structure of the identification region S16 is a warp rib structure,a person can recognize easily through visual or tactile sensation therib extending in the warp direction between the first and secondside-edges 11 and 12 of the fastener tape 10. This enablesidentification of the main attribute (e.g. the environmentally friendlycharacteristic) of the threads used as the warp threads and/or the weftthread of the fastener tape 10 based on the presence of theidentification region S16 of the fastener tape 10 after the fastenertape 10 is woven or after the slide fastener 1 is sold. If the fastenertape 10 is not provided with the identification region S16, thatfastener tape 10 can be identified as lacking the main attribute (e.g.,the environmentally friendly characteristic). Embodiment is envisionedwhere plural identification regions S16 are provided. For example, twoor more ribs extending in parallel in the warp direction may be used asthe identification region S16.

Additionally or alternatively to the above-described feature that thestructure of the identification region S16 is configured to allowidentification that the weft thread 8 and the warp threads 9 are withthe main attribute, the structure of the identification region S15 maybe configured to allow identification of a sub-attribute subdivided fromthe main attribute. In other words, the identification region S15 isused as an indication of the sub-attribute. The structure of theidentification region S15 is a structure preassociated with thesub-attribute subdivided from the main attribute. Based on thepredesigned correspondence between a sub-attribute and an identificationregion S15, a sub-attribute can be identified from a structure of theidentification region S15 preassociated therewith.

A “weave repeat” of the identification region S15 may be preassociatedwith a sub-attribute subdivided from the main attribute, not necessarilylimited to this though. For example, a weave repeat of theidentification region S15 of the first fastener tape is preassociatedwith a first sub-attribute included in sub-attributes subdivided fromthe main attribute, and a weave repeat of the identification region S15of the second fastener tape is preassociated with a second sub-attributeincluded in the sub-attributes subdivided from the main attribute. Thisenables identification of sub-attribute of the threads used as the warpthreads and/or the weft thread of the fastener tape 10 by identifyingthe weave repeat of the identification region S15 of the fastener tape10 after the fastener tape 10 is woven or after sold as the slidefastener 1.

Advantageously, the correspondence table between a sub-attribute and astructure of identification region S15 (e.g. weave repeat) may bereferenced. In typical situations, weave repeats of identificationregion S15 are respectively associated with sub-attributes subdividedfrom the main attribute. Note that, the weave repeats of identificationregion S15 may be observed through an enlarging optical system e.g. by ahuman or an image recognition device using a microscope or an imager. Asknown in the present technical field, a weave repeat indicates a minimumrepeating unit of weave pattern of tape structure. The tape structure isconfigured by a series of weave repeats in the warp direction and/or inthe weft direction. Note that, the identification region S15 should notbe necessarily limited to the series of weave repeat, but may beassociated with a particular attribute based on its weave patterndifferent from other regions.

The fastener tape is woven by an automatic loom to which threads withknown main attribute and sub-attribute are supplied. Setting of theautomatic loom is determined based on the main attribute and thesub-attribute of the threads supplied to the automatic loom. Forexample, a first identification region is formed in a first fastenertape in accordance with a first setting of the automatic loom, and asecond identification region is formed in a second fastener tape inaccordance with a second setting of the automatic loom. Here, thestructure of the first identification region is configured to indicatethat the weft thread 8 and the warp threads 9 are with the mainattribute and/or is associated with a first sub-attribute included insub-attributes subdivided from the main attribute. The structure of thesecond identification region is configured to indicate that the weftthread 8 and the warp threads 9 are with the main attribute and/or isassociated with a second sub-attribute included in sub-attributessubdivided from the main attribute. Based on the identification region,the fastener tape can be identified as having the main attribute and/ora sub-attribute can be identified which is associated with thatidentification region. A weave repeat of the identification region ofthe first fastener tape is associated with a first sub-attributeincluded in sub-attributes subdivided from the main attribute, notnecessarily limited to this though. A weave repeat of the identificationregion of the second fastener tape is associated with a secondsub-attribute included in sub-attributes subdivided from the mainattribute. Based on identification of a weave repeat of theidentification region of the fastener tape 10, a sub-attribute can beidentified which is preassociated with that weave repeat.

Further stating without intension of restriction, in cases where themain attribute is related to environmentally friendly characteristic,the environmentally friendly characteristic can be subdivided bycertificates respectively issued by certifiers. Identification of weaverepeat of identification region S15 allows identification of certificatepreassociated with that identified weave repeat. It would be possible tosimilarly understand a case where the environmentally friendlycharacteristic is subdivided into respective materials. The weave repeatof the identification region S15 of the fastener tape 10 is assumed tobe not susceptible to peeling-off and deterioration which otherwiseresults in disabled identification, unlike impressing or printing ofidentification signs. In a case where an identification sign is appliedthrough impressing or printing, a possibility of disabled identificationmay not be excluded due to peeling-off or deterioration of theidentification sign. Moreover, the identification sign may benoticeable, resulting in deteriorated appearance of product which isunfavorable.

The above-described features will be discussed more concretely withreference to FIGS. 4-10. FIG. 4 is a structure view of a tape mainportion of a fastener tape provided with an identification regionrepresenting that warp and weft threads are with a main attribute, andan identification region having a weave repeat associated with acertificate of a first working example. FIG. 5 is a structure viewshowing a weave repeat associated with a certificate of a first workingexample. FIG. 6 is a partial view of a fastener tape showing anidentification region and regions at both left and right sides thereof.FIG. 7 is a structure view of a tape main portion of a fastener tapeprovided with an identification region representing that warp and weftthreads are with a main attribute, and an identification region having aweave repeat associated with a certificate of a second working example.FIG. 8 (a) is a structure view of a weave repeat associated with asecond working example. FIG. 8 (b) is an illustration illustrating thatthe weave repeat is a derived structure from a weave repeat shown inFIG. 5. FIG. 9 is a structure view of a tape main portion of a fastenertape provided with an identification region representing that warp andweft threads are with a main attribute, and an identification regionhaving a weave repeat associated with a certificate of a third workingexample. FIG. 10 is a structure view of a weave repeat associated withcertificate of a third working example.

When an automatic loom is supplied with threads certified by a firstcertificate, a structure of the fastener tape 10 such as one shown inFIG. 4 is configured in accordance with a first setting (first campattern) of the automatic loom (weave repeat in the entire width of thefastener tape 10 is shown in FIG. 4). The identification region S16 is awarp rib structure having a rib width corresponding to total 4 warpthreads, representing that the warp and weft threads are with the mainattribute. The weave repeat of the identification region S15 is aderived structure from a twill weave as shown in FIG. 5, representingthat the fastener tape 10 is woven by threads certified by a firstcertificate. In the derived structure from the twill weave shown in FIG.5, the respective warp threads repeat passing over a pair of two weftthread portions adjacent in the warp direction.

As a supplemental description for FIGS. 4 and 5, as well-known in thepresent technical field, a filled cell in the structure view indicates astate of warp thread striding over weft thread, so-called “floating”state of warp thread over weft thread. Blank cell in the structure viewindicates a state of warp thread striding under weft thread, so-called“sinking” state of warp thread under weft thread. This would be moreconcretely understood by comparing FIGS. 4 and 6. As would be understoodfrom FIG. 6, the respective warp threads pass over or under a pair ofweft threads portions adjacent in the warp direction (front-reardirection). The pair of weft thread portions adjacent in the warpdirection (front-rear direction) is a unit of weft thread to be striddenby the warp threads, but not necessarily limited thereto. The weftthread is structured in accordance with reciprocating motion of ashuttle in the weft direction (the left-right direction). Therefore,embodiment is envisioned where the respective warp threads pass over orunder one weft thread portion extending in the weft direction.

The identification region S15 is a series of weave repeats of theidentification region S15 arranged in the warp direction, and is not aseries of weave repeats arranged in the weft direction, allowing easieridentification of weave repeat of the identification region S15.Increased number of warp threads and weft threads included in the weaverepeat of the identification region S15 results in increased number ofvariations of the weave repeat. However, if the weave repeat of theidentification region S15 is too wide, it may be not easier to recognizeit in some cases. The number of warp threads 9 included in the weaverepeat of the identification region S15 may be in a range between 3 and10 in some cases. Preferably, the number of warp threads 9 included inthe identification region S15 is equal to or less than 9 or equal to orless than 8 or equal to or less than 7 or equal to or less than 6. Withsuch number of warp threads, the weave repeat of the identificationregion S15 may have necessary and sufficient number of variations. Inother words, the weave repeat of the identification region S15 canrepresent necessary and sufficient number of 2-dimensional codes.

For facilitated identification of the identification region S15 or theweave repeat thereof, the identification region S15 may be structureddifferently, when seen by the eyes, relative to one or both regionsadjacent thereto. As shown in FIG. 4, a plain weave region S14 and theidentification region S16, configured as a warp rib region, are providedat both left and right sides of the identification region S15, and thusit would be possible to easily observe the identification region S15 bythe eyes or using a microscope. The warp rib structure of theidentification region S16 is a derived structure from a plain weave. Thewarp threads in the plain weave region stride one pair of weft threadportions, but the warp threads in the warp rib region stride two pairsof weft thread portions. The warp rib region looks like a rib extendingin the warp direction (front-rear direction) for bare eyes. In somecases, the warp rib region is provided purposely for determining if thewarp and weft threads of the fastener tape 10 are with the mainattribute (e.g., environmentally friendly characteristic) or not.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the identification region S15 is arrangedcloser to the second side-edge 12 relative to the first side-edge 11 ofthe fastener tape 10. Preferably, the plain weave region S14 isinterposed between the second side-edge 12 and the identification regionS15, and one side edge of the plain weave region S14 matches the secondside-edge 12 of the fastener tape 10. As such, the identification regionS15 is positioned far from the element-placement region S19, minimizinginfluence given by the identification region S15 to operation of openingand closing the slide fastener.

As shown in FIG. 4, the identification regions S15 and S16 are arrangedadjacent in the weft direction (left-right direction), but should not belimited to this. Unlike the illustration of FIG. 4, embodiments areenvisaged where the identification regions S15 and S16 are arrangedoppositely in the left-right direction. That is, the identificationregion S16 may be positioned closer to the second side-edge 12 of thefastener tape 10 than the identification region S15, and theidentification region S15 may be positioned closer to the firstside-edge 11 of the fastener tape 10 than the identification region S16.Embodiment is envisioned where an intermediate region, having adifferent structure relative to the structures of the identificationregions S15 and S16, is interposed between the identification regionsS15 and S16.

The structures of respective ones of the intermediate region S17, theplain weave structure S18, and the element-placement region S19 would beproperly configured by a skilled person in the art. In the case shown inFIG. 4, the intermediate region S17 is configured by 3 sets of twilledregions. The plain weave structure S18 is a narrow-width region of 3warp threads, and is provided to resist contact with a flange of theslider. The element-placement region S19 is a derived structure from aplain weave structure. As would be clear for a skilled artisan, returnportions of the weft thread are continuously formed along the first andsecond side-edges 11 and 12. The width of the identification region S15in the weft direction (left-right direction) is narrower than the widthof the intermediate region S17. As such, easier identification would bepossible without affecting the appearance of the entirety of thefastener tape 10. Preferably, in the first working example, the tapemain portion 13 has a warp rib region S16, and the intermediate regionS17, the warp rib region S16 and the identification region S15 arecontinuously arranged in a direction directed from the first side-edge11 to the second side-edge 12 of the fastener tape 10. The respectivewarp threads included in the respective regions in the identificationregion S15, the warp rib region S16 and the intermediate region S17repeat passing over a pair of two weft thread portions adjacent in awarp direction. As such, it is suppressed that the number of campatterns of a loom is redundantly increased and the burden of managingthem and the cost of production increase.

In the second working example, when the automatic loom is supplied withthreads certified by a second certificate, a structure of the fastenertape 10 such as one shown in FIG. 7 is configured in accordance with asecond setting (second cam pattern) of the automatic loom (weave repeatin the entire width of the fastener tape 10 is shown in FIG. 7). Theidentification region S16 is a warp rib structure having a rib widthcorresponding to total 4 warp threads, representing that the warp andweft threads are with the main attribute. The fastener tape 10 of FIG. 7differs from that of FIG. 4 in the structure of the identificationregion S15. The weave repeat of the identification region S15 of thefastener tape 10 of FIG. 7 is a derived structure from the weave repeatshown in FIG. 5 (similarly a derived structure from a twill weave),representing that the fastener tape 10 is woven by threads certified bysecond certificate.

As would be understood from FIG. 8 (b), in a weave repeat having rowsR1-R8 and columns C1-C6, a cell at coordinates (R4,C3) is filled in lieuof a cell at coordinates (R2,C3); a cell at coordinates (R8,C3) isfilled in lieu of a cell at coordinates (R6,C3); a cell at coordinates(R2,C4) is filled in lieu of a cell at coordinates (R4,C4); and a cellat coordinates (R6,C4) is filled in lieu of a cell at coordinates(R8,C4). The weave repeat of FIG. 8 (a) is a derived structure, i.e. avariant, where 4 filled cells are shifted in position relative to theweave repeat of FIG. 5. In some cases, filled cells may be added ordeleted additionally or alternatively to the shifting of the filledcells in its position. As an addition or alternative to suchmanipulation of filled cells, manipulation can be done to the blankcells. In some cases, there is no change in the number of filled cellsbefore and after the cells are manipulated, facilitating to ensure agiven strength and softness of the structure, not necessarily limited tothis though.

In the third working example, when the automatic loom is supplied withthreads certified by a third certificate, a structure of the fastenertape 10 such as one shown in FIG. 9 is configured in accordance with athird setting (third cam pattern) of the automatic loom (weave repeat inthe entire width of the fastener tape 10 is shown in FIG. 9). Theidentification region S16 is a warp rib structure having a rib widthcorresponding to total 4 warp threads, representing that the warp andweft threads are with the main attribute. The fastener tape 10 of FIG. 9differs from those of FIGS. 4 and 7 in the structure of theidentification region S15. The weave repeat of the identification regionS15 of the fastener tape 10 of FIG. 9 is a derived structure from theweave repeat shown in FIG. 5 (similarly a derived structure from a twillweave), representing that the fastener tape 10 is woven by threadscertified by a third certificate. As would be understood from FIG. 10,the weave repeat of the identification region S15 is equal to a weaverepeat formed by interchanging the left and right parts of the weaverepeat of FIG. 5 with respect to a border between the columns C3 and C4.

Again, in the present embodiment, the weave repeat of the identificationregion S15 allows identification of the sub-attribute subdivided fromthe main attribute. For example, the weave repeat of the identificationregion S15 in the fastener tape 10 may be observed through an enlargingoptical system and its weave repeat may be identified. By checking whichone of patterns of FIG. 5, FIG. 8(a) and FIG. 10 the identifiedidentification region has, it would be possible to identify by which oneof the first to third certificates the threads are certified which areused as the warp and weft threads of the given fastener tape 10. Thesame should be applicable for identification of material and supplier ofthe threads. As described above, the weave repeats of identificationregion and the sub-attributes are preassociated beforehand, and thecorrespondence table, i.e. look-up table has been predesigned.

At the time of production of the slide fasteners and even after deliveryof the slide fasteners, the main attribute and/or the sub-attribute ofthe threads used therein can be identified based on the identificationregions S15 and S16. The fastener tape 10 may be processed throughvarious steps after woven by the automatic loom. For example, a fastenerelement is sewn to it, or it is supplied to a dyeing step or to anassembling machine of slide fastener. Various types of fastener tape 10may be processed in the same machine (e.g. the assembling machine ofslide fastener). Therefore, from an aspect of production management, itwould be advantageous to allow one to identify by which one ofcertificates the produced slide fasteners have been certified at thetime of their shipping. Particularly, in cases where not just twoclassification of with and without environmentally friendlycharacteristic, multiple classification of types of certificateregarding environmentally friendly characteristic is desired,identification and tracking based on the weave repeat of identificationregion functioning as two-dimensional code would be advantageous.

The weave repeat functioning as two-dimensional code may take variousforms such as a plain weave structure or a derived structure from plainweave or a twill weave structure or a derived structure from twill weaveor a satin structure or a derived structure from satin weave, and maynot be restricted to the current number of sub-attributes but can beadapted to addition of sub-attributes in future. Also, theidentification region S15 has an appearance similar to those of otherregions in the fastener tape 10, and does not create a shift inappearance of the fastener tape 10 like the impressing or printing ofidentification sign. Advantageously, the weave repeat may be anon-warp-rib structure or non-weft-rib structure so that variation oftwo-dimensional code would be ensured in a limited area.

Division based on certification authority, division based on material ofthread, and division based on suppliers of thread have been suggested asexamples of sub-attributes in accordance with subdivision ofenvironmentally friendly characteristic, but should not be limitedthereto. Information such as model number, manufacturing time, and placeof manufacturing factory may be divided. In terms of main attribute ofbiodegradable threads, an embodiment is envisioned where a firstsub-attribute guarantees degradation within 5 years, a secondsub-attribute guarantees degradation within 5-10 years, a thirdsub-attribute guarantees degradation in a time period exceeding 10years.

Note that the identification region S15 may be configured by a structurethat looks different relative to one or both regions adjacent thereto.For example, when a weave repeat of an adjacent region includes a plainweave or a derived structure from plain weave, a weave repeat of theidentification region may include a twill weave or a derived structurefrom twill weave or a satin weave or a derived structure from satinweave. When a weave repeat of an adjacent region includes a satin weaveor a derived structure from satin weave, a weave repeat of theidentification region may include a plain weave or a derived satinstructure from plain weave or a twill weave or a derived structure fromtwill weave.

FIGS. 11-13 show variants of weave repeat of identification region. InFIG. 11, FIG. 11(a) illustrates that a weave repeat of 3 rows and 3columns is a plain weave structure, FIG. 11(b) illustrates that a weaverepeat of 3 rows and 3 columns is a derived structure from plain weave,and FIG. 11(c) illustrates that a weave repeat of 3 rows and 3 columnsis a derived structure from plain weave. In a case where a mainattribute is subdivided into two sub-attributes, two weave repeatsselected from FIGS. 11(a)-11(c) are used, and it is not necessary to usethe pure plain weave structure of FIG. 11(a).

In FIG. 12, FIG. 12(a) illustrates that a weave repeat of 3 rows and 3columns is configured by a combination of a rib (at row R1) extending inthe weft direction and a dot (at R1,C1), FIG. 12(b) illustrates that aweave repeat of 3 rows and 3 columns is configured by a combination of arib (at column C1) extending in the warp direction and a dot (at R3,C3),and FIG. 12(c) illustrates that a weave repeat of 3 rows and 3 columnsis configured by a combination of a rib (at row R1) extending in theweft direction and a dot (at R2,C2). Plural pattern species can besimilarly obtained based on combinations of rib and dot.

FIG. 13 illustrates an embodiment where a weave repeat is divided intotwo regions having a first region to which a first weave type (e.g.plain weave or derived structure therefrom) is allocated and a secondregion to which a second weave type (e.g. a twill weave or derivedstructure therefrom) is allocated. Manner of division of weave repeatwould be various, and should not be limited to the manner of divisioninto two upper and lower regions as shown. It would be possible todivide into three or more regions and allocate different structures torespective regions. By way of such methods, the types of identificationregion S15 would be increased, and the number of distinguishablesub-attributes would be increased.

As would be understood from the above descriptions, derivation can bepossible by various ways such as addition or deletion of filled cells,mirror-image inversion, combinations of different types of structure,and a skilled person would a number of variations based on suchdisclosure.

Finally, a method of producing a fastener tape 10 would be describedwith reference to FIG. 14. Firstly, a correspondence table (see chart 1of example of correspondence table) is designed (S101) which showscorrespondence between a sub-attribute subdivided from a main attributeand a weave repeat of identification region S15 of fastener tape 10. Thecorrespondence table is quite simple as shown in hereinafter. It isenvisaged that the correspondence table is stored in a computer as alook-up table. Human or image-recognition device may identify asub-attribute of thread, e.g. a certificate, from a weave repeat basedon reference to this look-up table.

CHART 1 Weave repeat of Thread Certificate identification region A DFIG. 5 B E FIG. 8 (a) C F FIG. 10

Next, based on the correspondence table, an automatic loom is set to bein a given cam pattern, and threads (e.g. threads “A”) are supplied tothe automatic loom (S102). The automatic loom runs so that a firstfastener tape is woven (S103). First identification region (e.g.identification region(s) S15 and/or S16 shown in FIG. 4) in accordancewith that given cam pattern is formed in the first fastener tape.

Next, based on the correspondence table, the automatic loom is set to bein another cam pattern, and threads (e.g. threads “B”) are supplied tothe automatic loom (S104). The automatic loom runs so that a secondfastener tape is woven (S105). Second identification region (e.g.identification region(s) S15 and/or S16 shown in FIG. 7) in accordancewith the another cam pattern is formed in the second fastener tape. Thesequence of weaving of the first and second fastener tapes can be freelymodified. In cases where the same automatic loom is used, the setting ofthe automatic loom is changed in an intermediate period between a periodof weaving the first fastener tape and a period of weaving the secondfastener tape. Advantageously, one can identify that the threads offastener tapes has a main attribute (e.g. environmentally friendlycharacteristic) based on the identification region S16 of fastener tape.Additionally or alternatively, one can identify, based on thecorrespondence table, a sub-attribute of first threads (e.g. certificate“D”) from a weave repeat (e.g. FIG. 5) of first identification region.Likewise, one can identify, based on the correspondence table, asub-attribute of second threads (e.g. certificate “E”) from a weaverepeat (e.g. FIG. 8 (a)) of second identification region. These featureshould be apparent from the above-descriptions, and overlappingdescription will be omitted. One can identify a sub-attribute of thirdthreads (e.g. certificate “F”) from a weave repeat (e.g. FIG. 10) ofthird identification region.

Method of identifying a fastener tape 10 woven from a weft thread 8 andwarp threads 9 is also disclosed substantially in the presentspecification. The present identifying method includes a step ofidentifying one or more identification regions S15, S16 in the fastenertape 10, and a step of identifying, based on the identifiedidentification region S15,S16, that the weft thread 8 and the warpthreads 9 are with a main attribute. The present method may include, inaddition to or as an alternative of said identifying that the weftthread 8 and the warp threads 9 are with a main attribute, identifying asub-attribute preassociated with a structure of the identifiedidentification region S15 among sub-attributes subdivided from the mainattribute.

Based on the above teachings, a skilled person in the art could addvarious modifications to the respective embodiments. Reference signs inClaims are just for a reference and should not be referenced for apurpose of narrowly construing the scope of claim. Embodiment isenvisioned where a weave repeat of identification region is a warp ribstructure and the number of warp ribs is associated with asub-attribute. Embodiment is envisioned where a weave repeat ofidentification region is a weft rib structure and the number of weftribs is associated with a sub-attribute.

REFERENCE SIGNS

-   8 Weft thread-   9 Warp thread-   10 Fastener tape-   11 First side-edge-   12 Second side-edge-   13 Tape main portion-   14 Identification region

1. A fastener tape woven from a weft thread and warp threads both ofwhich are threads with a main attribute, the fastener tape comprising:first and second side-edges extending along an elongation direction ofthe fastener tape to define a fastener tape width; and a tape mainportion interposed between the first and second side-edges, wherein thetape main portion includes an identification region woven by plural warpthreads and the weft thread interlaced with one another, theidentification region having an identification region width which is apartial width of an entire width of the fastener tape width and is awidth in accordance with a number of the plural warp threads, and astructure of the identification region is configured to allowidentification that the weft thread and the warp threads are with themain attribute and/or to allow identification of a sub-attributesubdivided from the main attribute.
 2. The fastener tape of claim 1,wherein a weave repeat or a weave pattern of the identification regionis configured to allow identification of a sub-attribute subdivided fromthe main attribute.
 3. The fastener tape of claim 1, wherein the mainattribute is related to environmentally friendly characteristic.
 4. Thefastener tape of claim 3, wherein the environmentally friendlycharacteristic is related to any one of use of recycled material, use ofbiodegradable material, use of plant-derived material or a combinationthereof.
 5. The fastener tape of claim 1, wherein the structure of theidentification region configured to allow identification of thesub-attribute subdivided from the main attribute is a warp-rib-freestructure.
 6. The fastener tape of claim 1, wherein the structure of theidentification region configured to allow identification that the weftthread and the warp threads are with the main attribute is a warp-ribstructure.
 7. The fastener tape of claim 1, wherein the identificationregion includes a first identification region woven to allowidentification that the weft thread and the warp threads are with themain attribute and a second identification region woven to allowidentification of a sub-attribute subdivided from the main attribute. 8.The fastener tape of claim 7, wherein the first identification regionand the second identification region are adjacent in a weft direction.9. The fastener tape of claim 1, wherein a fastener element is providedsuch that an engagement head is positioned outwardly of fastener tapethan the first side-edge of the fastener tape, and the identificationregion is arranged closer to the second side-edge relative to the firstside-edge of the fastener tape.
 10. The fastener tape of claim 1,wherein an element-attachment region and an intermediate regioninterposed between the element-attachment region and the identificationregion are arranged in a direction directed from the first side-edge ofthe fastener tape toward the identification region in the tape mainportion, the identification region width being less than a width of theintermediate region in a same direction.
 11. The fastener tape of claim1, wherein the intermediate region and the identification region arearranged in the tape main portion adjacently in a direction directedfrom the first side-edge toward the second side-edge of the fastenertape and, in both of the intermediate region and the identificationregion, the respective warp threads repeat passing over pairs of twoweft thread portions adjacent in a warp direction.
 12. A method ofidentifying a fastener tape woven from a weft thread and warp threads,the method comprising: identifying one or more identification regions inthe fastener tape, the identification region being woven by the pluralwarp threads and the weft thread interlaced with one another;identifying, based on the identified identification region, that theweft thread and the warp threads are with a main attribute; and inaddition to or as an alternative of said identifying that the weftthread and the warp threads are with a main attribute, identifying asub-attribute preassociated with a structure of the identifiedidentification region among sub-attributes subdivided from the mainattribute.
 13. The method of identifying a fastener tape of claim 12,wherein the main attribute is related to environmentally friendlycharacteristic.
 14. The method of identifying a fastener tape of claim12, wherein the sub-attribute is identified based on reference to acorrespondence table between the sub-attributes and weave repeats orweave patterns for the identification region.
 15. A set of mutuallydistinguishable slide fasteners, the set comprising: a first slidefastener including a pair of first fastener tapes each of which is wovenfrom warp threads and a weft thread which are threads with a mainattribute; and a second slide fastener including a pair of secondfastener tapes each of which is woven from warp threads and a weftthread which are threads with the main attribute, wherein each of thefirst and second fastener tapes includes: first and second side-edgesextending along an elongation direction of the fastener tape to define afastener tape width; and a tape main portion interposed between thefirst and second side-edges, the tape main portion including anidentification region woven by adjacent warp threads and the weft threadinterlaced with one another, the identification region having anidentification region width which is a partial width of an entire widthof the fastener tape width and is a width in accordance with a number ofthe adjacent warp threads, wherein a structure of the identificationregion of the first fastener tape is configured to indicate that theweft thread and the warp threads are with the main attribute and/or isassociated with a first sub-attribute included in sub-attributessubdivided from the main attribute, and a structure of theidentification region of the second fastener tape is configured toindicate that the weft thread and the warp threads are with the mainattribute and/or is associated with a second sub-attribute included insub-attributes subdivided from the main attribute.
 16. The set of slidefasteners of claim 15, wherein a weave repeat or a weave pattern of theidentification region of the first fastener tape is associated with thefirst sub-attribute included in the sub-attributes subdivided from themain attribute, and a weave repeat or a weave pattern of theidentification region of the second fastener tape is associated with thesecond sub-attribute included in the sub-attributes subdivided from themain attribute.
 17. A method of producing a fastener tape configuredfrom threads with a main attribute, the method comprising: supplyingfirst threads with the main attribute to an automatic loom in a firstsetting to weave a first fastener tape, a first identification regionbeing formed in the first fastener tape in accordance with the firstsetting; and supplying second threads with the main attribute to anautomatic loom in a second setting to weave a second fastener tape, asecond identification region being formed in the second fastener tape inaccordance with the second setting, wherein a structure of the firstidentification region is configured to indicate that the first threadsare with the main attribute and/or is associated with a firstsub-attribute included in sub-attributes subdivided from the mainattribute, and a structure of the second identification region isconfigured to indicate that the second threads are with the mainattribute and/or is associated with a second sub-attribute included insub-attributes subdivided from the main attribute.
 18. The method ofproducing a fastener tape of claim 17, wherein the first sub-attributecan be identified from the structure of the first identification regionbased on a correspondence table defining correspondence between asub-attribute subdivided from the main attribute and a structure of theidentification region of the fastener tape, and the second sub-attributecan be identified from the structure of the second identification regionbased on the correspondence table.
 19. The method of producing afastener tape of claim 17, wherein the first and second settings of theautomatic loom correspond to first and second cam patterns in theautomatic loom.